c 16 leak

[bankshortonia]

just bought a late '80's C 16 and have a significant leak but can't find it. The plug in the back is secure, no leak there. Water is pooling in the front and is possibly coming in near the center board area. Any suggestions?

 

[JohnShannon]

You should find the leak. How many gallons an hour? Is it internal to a buoyancy tank or is it just in the bottom of the boat?

 

[bankshortonia]

Thanks John! The leak is slow, maybe 8-10 gallons over 2-3 days. The water is both in sight on the bottom of the boat and within the buoyancy tanks and, in the centerboard housing area... which is where we think it may be coming in. There are two drain devices in the back that appear to be designed to drain out water while sailing - perhaps another potential leak area. We will pull it out of the water today and drain via the back drain plug and see if we can determine where the water is coming from, but not optimistic. This boat is new to us with several nuances that are different from our previous boat. Thanks for any insights!

 

[JohnShannon]

The flaps in the transom, are called transom flaps and indeed allow a lot of water to drain quickly after righting from a capsize. This likely also has Elvstrom bailers which are rectangular thingies on the bottom with a kind of handle on them, When they are open a hole is created in the bottom of the boat. So long as you are moving the water actually flows out. But holes in the bottom of the boat are a potential source of leakage.